Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14
NEW ENGLAND INSTRUCTORS
Conditions for Admission to College Dis
cusspd.


At the annual meeting of the New
England Association of Colleges and Pre-
paratory Schools in Boston Friday and
Saturday, Pres ident Merrill having de-
clined election, Prof Charles f.. FAY
was unanimously elected president.
Mr.. Horace NJ. Willard Of the Vermont
academy read II paper on the question as
the system of admission to colleges on
school certificates advantageous to
schools ?" The essayist said that every
teacher finds it impossible to have a posi-
tive standard Of examination for a recita-
ton; and the standard cannot be the
same from day to day But whom q
teacher has heard recitations from the
same pupil for several years he is likely
to know the boys true merit and not he
liable to do the boy Injustice In regard 70
the examinations at colleges. the pauers
are prepared by experts, who proba
bly, give much thought to them but it
must be remem Dered that the examines
are immature, and have not the mental
grasp which Will enable them to catch
the true meaning of a question when it is
hidden IN unfamiliar. phraseology. An
| examination should show the results of
! study. The college is fer the boy anu
not the boy for the college, and boy who
would be credit to any college may make
a poor showing IN hasty examination.
! The method of admission to colleges bv
examinations is not beneficial If the
college Is to keep in close contact with
| the great world it must not be too rigid
! ana Keep ont those who honestly desire to
take advantage of Its instruction In
! summing no his views Mr.. Willard said
| that he does not believe the admission
examinations are beneficial to either
school or college. If the colleges would
! stop raising the standard of admission and
raise the standard for remaining in col
lege, 1t would be better for the schools,
ana would spur the student on to contin-
ued hard work TO maintain an honorable
| position in his class.
The discussion was continued by presi-
dent Alice r. Freeman of Wellesley Col
lese. Alter saying that he agreed with
almost all that Mr.. Willard had said, she
ueplored the fact that the New England
colleges are not growing in proportion
to the population, aud said She would be
EIad OF n system by which the school, and
colieges would be more IN unison and the
colleges thronged with pupils eager for
the WORK, she would oppose any system
oi admission to college by certificate
which would lower the standard she
would defend it only when 1t maintained
Il hlgh quality of scholarship as a reuui-
site
The president read letter from Presi-
dent Bartlett Of Dartmouth warmly com
"ltHUlIN' ~ me result OF experience, all
mission by certificates
Professor Stafford OF Williams spoke
faNorably OF the system. Dr.. Scott : nd
that system of certificates would be the
worst thnG that could happen to class
from Phillips Exeter academy. Mr. Peck
said that, in his preparatory school at
Providence he had found by two years
test that the certificate system is saLlsfac-
tory ana the school work does not deteri-
crate. Mr.. Bradbury OF Cambridge spoke
of the difficulties which a public school
teacher would encounter IN giving, or re
1uslng to give, certificates.
On motion OF Mr.. Collar, it was voted
that committee of three from the asso-
cation, representing preparatory schools
he appointed to confer with the commits
sion OF colleges, il requested to do so.
The president appointed as the committee
Mr.. Hill, head master Of the Cambridge,
high school, DR.. Bancroft of Phillips
academy, and Mr. Gallagher of the vii
hston seminary.